Jean F. Bastian

Jean Frances Bastian, age 91, of Chippewa Falls died Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Meadowbrook in Bloomer while under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

She was born November 29, 1934, in Chippewa Falls to Ralph E. and Jessie (Meigs) Selden.

Jean graduated from Chippewa Falls High School, class of 1952. Following high school she attended UW-Eau Claire for one year, interrupted by work at Northern States Power Company as a stenographer for three years. She returned to college and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a major in History and minors in English and Political Science.

In her senior year of college she met her future husband, Keith. They were married August 1, 1959, in Portage, Wisconsin and then resided in Lake Hallie until 1974, when they moved to the city of Chippewa Falls. Two children were born, a daughter in 1961 and a son in 1962.

After employment in several offices as a bookkeeper she began work as a full-time bank teller in 1986 at Northwestern Bank, Lafayette branch. She retired in 1999, and returned part-time from 2001 until 2017.

Jean was an animal lover for her entire life. She enjoyed bird watching, trips through Irvine Park several times a week, reading, following politics, history and traveling – especially to museums and historic places and sites. She had numerous cat and dog companions over the years.

She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) -Eau Claire Chapter since 1982, life member of Ellsworth Chapter No. 116, Order of the Eastern Star, past Matron of Chippewa Chapter No. 112, O.E.S and former Grand Warder of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin, O.E.S. 2007-08.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister, Roma Selden in 1926; brother, John “Jack” in 1989; husband, Keith in 2002; brother-in-law, William Bastian; sisters-in-law, Iris Selden and Clara Bastian; and nephew, Michael Selden.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Kent) Paschal of Fort Collins, Colorado; son, Bruce Bastian of Chippewa Falls; granddaughter, Natascha Bastian of Thornton, Colorado; nieces, Jackie Riley of Gardena, California, Janee Wegner of Whitewater, Wisconsin, and Laura Taylor of Helena, Montana; nephew, William Bastian of Duluth, Minnesota; and step-niece, Cheri Doyle of Tennessee.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 7 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Tim Stein officiating.

Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chippewa Humane Association.